FY2023 Forest Legacy Program | USDA FS FLP 010 2023

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS FLP 010 2023

The FY2023 Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a U.S. Forest Service grant program designed to help conserve environmentally important forest lands that are at real risk of being converted to nonforest uses, such as development. The program’s core purpose is to keep key forest landscapes intact by funding land protection projects, primarily through conservation easements or, in some cases, full purchase of land (fee simple acquisition). The emphasis is on protecting forests that matter for ecological values (like habitat, water quality, biodiversity, and landscape connectivity) as well as economic values (like working forests, timber-based economies, and other forest-dependent benefits), especially where those forests face strong development pressure.

A defining feature of FLP is that it operates as a voluntary, nonregulatory partnership. The program is built around willing seller and willing buyer transactions, meaning landowners choose whether to participate, and there is no authority for eminent domain or condemnation under this program. When participation occurs through a conservation easement, landowners generally agree to convey certain interests in the land (typically development rights) to achieve long-term conservation goals, while retaining ownership and often continuing traditional uses like forestry. A second key landowner commitment in easement projects is the preparation and periodic updating of a Forest Stewardship Management Plan (or a broader multi-resource management plan), which helps ensure the conserved forest is managed in a way that supports the program’s conservation objectives over time.

Funding is awarded to states through a competitive process rather than directly to private landowners, local governments, or nonprofits as primary applicants. Eligible applicants are state governments (CFDA 10.676), with projects typically led by a state’s designated lead agency and shaped through consultation with the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee. Each participating state identifies its priority forest conservation needs and eligible project areas through the Forest Legacy Program Assessment of Need, which is developed as part of the state’s Forest Action Plan. In practice, that means a project usually starts at the state level: the state identifies high-priority forests, works with partners and landowners to assemble a viable proposal, and then submits selected projects to the Forest Service for national-level consideration.

Projects move through a two-stage review and prioritization process. First, they are evaluated and prioritized within the state based on state-identified priorities and eligible areas. Then, projects are submitted to the Forest Service for a national review, where they compete against proposals from other states. During national review, projects are scored using criteria that focus on (1) ecological and economic importance, (2) the degree of threat that the forest will be converted to nonforest use if not conserved, and (3) how strategically important the project is and how well it advances the objectives of relevant strategic plans. Beyond those core criteria, reviewers also weigh project readiness and other practical factors, which generally relate to how prepared the project is to move forward (for example, the status of landowner interest, appraisal planning, due diligence, and partner commitments).

The FLP requires a significant nonfederal match. Grants must be cost-shared by at least 25 percent in nonfederal dollars. The program allows flexibility in what counts toward the nonfederal cost share, which can include cash contributions, donations, land or interests in land, in-kind services, and various direct and indirect costs, as permitted by the Forest Service. This structure is meant to leverage federal funds and encourage states and partners to bring substantial additional resources to the table.

Legally, the Forest Legacy Program is authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), with major amendments and specific FLP provisions coming through the 1990 Farm Bill and later updates in the 1996 Farm Bill. Funding is provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports a range of conservation and recreation investments nationwide.

For this specific funding opportunity listing, the opportunity title is “FY2023 Forest Legacy Program,” with Funding Opportunity Number USDA FS FLP 010 2023. It is categorized as a mandatory grant opportunity under the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. The listing indicates an award ceiling of $20,000,000 and anticipates about 18 awards. The opportunity was created July 22, 2021, and the original closing date shown is October 18, 2021. Participation includes all states and territories except North Dakota, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Additional program information is available from the Forest Service at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy.

• The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2023 Forest Legacy Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.676.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 22, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 18, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 18 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for USDA FS FLP 010 2023

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